Bank of America branch closes

Bank will maintain ATM, but branch closes after 20 years on First Street

By 1:30 p.m. Friday, workers were filling the lobby of the Newberg branch of Bank of America. By 2 p.m., the building was locked and workers began clearing the space of any sign of the longtime First Street tenant.

In the hours leading up to the closing customers continued to file in, asking employees where they would relocate to and reminiscing about their last deposits at the popular local branch of Americas biggest bank.

Weve been in this location since the earthquake in `92, said manager Diane Haddock. We moved here temporarily, this was a quick fix.

After the earthquake cracked the business former space at College and First streets, Haddock said they made the decision to relocate two blocks away.

We were out in one weekend. The counter is actually a cutoff from the building down there, Haddock said. And weve been here ever since.

All of the banks employees will be relocated to other branches: one in Wilsonville, one in Dallas, two in Arizona and three  including Haddock  will move to McMinnville.

Dian (Maybury) and I have been a part of this building for a very long time and we hate to leave it, Haddock said. But were good, actually.

Maybury said the staff coordinating the closure has been methodical, something she has appreciated.

Theres been a lot of support  at least four or five calls today from the guy running it, she said.

Despite sadness surrounding the closure, both Maybury and Haddock said theres been support from all sides.

The bran-ches around have been so supportive in making sure theyre ready to help our customers and (in) taking the staff in, Maybury said. Were making lemonade out of this. Its very easy to be negative but theres no need.

Haddock said for her, one of the most touching aspects has been the community response.

The nice thing is our community has been amazing with the goodbyes. The love in it. The cards and showing us what we meant to them has been probably the most warming part of having to leave. (Its) knowing the changes that we made we literally have created these relationships and to better their financial lives in so many different ways, Haddock said. So were very happy to have that relationship with them and the fact Im only going to McMinnville is just a hop, skip and a jump.

After handing out stacks of business cards with her McMinnville information, she said customers should also know the banks First Street ATM will remain permanently, perhaps not in the space its in currently, but there will always be one in Newberg.